Spool assembly for locating a spooled material end

ABSTRACT

A spool assembly enables a user to locate a spooled material end. The spool assembly comprises a spool body and a pin assembly. The spool body comprises first and second spool ends, and an axial spool aperture extending intermediate the first and second spool ends. The spool body or core receives spoolable material, which material thereby becomes spooled. The spooled material has a free end and a post-engageable material portion adjacent the free end. The pin assembly comprises a post and a post cap. The post comprises first and second post ends, and a material-receiving groove. The groove is located intermediate the first and second post ends. The material portion is received in the groove and the post is insertable into the spool aperture for locating the post-engageable material portion adjacent the second spool end and the second post end. The spool assembly thus selectively locates the free material end.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a spool assembly for spooling certain materials and for readily locating the free end of the spooled materials. More particularly, the present invention relates to a two-piece spool assembly comprising a spool body and pin assembly, which together function to locate spoolable material upon the spool body and readily locate the free material end for selective use.

2. Description of Prior Art

As noted by Thomas in U.S. Pat. No. 4,279,389, devices for preventing the unwinding of thread from a spool are known in the arts. Some of the more pertinent prior art disclosures relating to devices for spooling materials, for preventing the unwinding thereof, and for locating the free end of the spooled materials are briefly described hereinafter.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,831 ('831 Patent), which issued to Rottleb, discloses a Spool for Thread. The '831 Patent teaches a unitary molding of plastics material comprising a spool member for carrying thread windings, and a thread trapping member joined to said spool member by frangible bridging means, said thread trapping member being adapted, after breaking of the frangible bridging means, to be fitted to the end of said spool member so that a surface of the thread trapping member cooperates with a surface of the spool member to form a groove for trapping thread.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,094,476 ('476 Patent), which issued to Schmidt et al., discloses a Thread Spool. The '476 Patent teaches a regular thread spool having at least one of its end flange disks provided with a sectionalized groove, the sections being axially offset to provide thread retention baffles.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,723 ('723 Patent), which issued to Couture, discloses a Spool for Thread or the Like. The '723 Patent teaches a spool for thread or the like comprising means for locking or securing the spool in position over a spindle. The spool may be of the type having a base member and a substantially cylindrical portion in which the thread may be taken from the spool in a direction substantially parallel to the spool axis. A locking means is provided to prevent spool jumping when the thread on the spool is partially removed making the spool with the remaining thread thereon lighter.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,279,389 ('389 Patent), which issued to Thomas, discloses a Thread Keeper. The '389 Patent teaches a thread keeper to prevent undesired unwinding of thread from a spool. The unit comprises a channel shaped element with the mid portion paralleling the axis of the spool and the two arms straddling the ends of the spool. The arms have short projections that enter the ends of the cylindrical bore through the spool whereby the spool can rotate within the keeper unit. The space between the mid portion of the keeper and the thread on the spool is fitted with compressible friction applying material that expands to be in continuous braking engagement with the thread as it is pulled and unwound from the spool.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,353 ('353 Patent), which issued to Lewin et al., discloses a Spool with an Integral Bobbin Holder. The '353 Patent teaches a spool for thread with a self contained bobbin holder. A contrivance consisting of a spool with a self contained bobbin holder is described. The invention is based on the fact that the core of the spool is projected beyond the edge of the spool creating a protuberance, which functions as a receptacle for the bobbin, allowing the contrivance to temporarily store the mated spool and bobbin for quick and easy retrieval.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,416 ('416 Patent), which issued to Gulsby, discloses a Spool Winder for Sewing Machines. The '416 Patent teaches a removable attachment to the bobbin winder of a conventional sewing machine. It installs on a bobbin winder in lieu of a bobbin at one end and connects to a conventional spool at the opposite end. It provides for continuous winding of thread or yam onto the spool by preventing disengagement of the bobbin winder. The invention consists of a flanged post which installs onto the bobbin winder's spindle. The post is long and narrow enough to avoid the bobbin winder's disengagement mechanism. This function eliminates the need for hand winding of spools.

From an inspection of the foregoing disclosures and from a consideration of other art generally known to exist it will be seen that the prior art fails to teach a two-piece spool assembly comprising a spool body and a pin assembly, which pin assembly is cooperatively associated with the spool body for locating the free end of the spooled material and for preventing unwinding of the spooled material wherein the pin assembly comprises material receiving structure for wedging the free end of the spooled material intermediate the pin assembly and the spool body. The prior art thus perceives a need for a two-piece spool assembly comprising a spool body and a pin assembly of the type briefly described herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It will thus be seen, in contradistinction to the foregoing prior art, that the present invention provides a spool assembly for locating a spoolable material end. The spool assembly comprises a spool body and a pin assembly. The spool body comprises a first spool end, a second spool end, an axial spool aperture, and a spooling core. The spool aperture and the spooling core extend intermediate the first and second spool ends centered on a longitudinal spool axis. The spooling core is designed to receive certain spoolable material such as, but not limited to, thread. Necessarily, the spoolable material has a free material end and a post-engageable material portion adjacent the free material end, which structures are selectively locatable by the cooperation of the spool body and the pin assembly.

In this last regard, the spool aperture has a post-engaging aperture periphery at the second spool end that is cooperable with an aperture-engaging post periphery at a second post end. The pin assembly comprises an aperture-engaging post and a post cap, the aperture-engaging post comprising a first post end, the second post end, a longitudinal post axis, and a transverse material-receiving portion. The material-receiving portion is located intermediate the first and second post ends axially adjacent the longitudinal post axis. The post-engageable material portion is further cooperable with the material-receiving portion.

The aperture-engaging post is insertable into the spool aperture. During insertion of the aperture-engaging post, the post periphery wedgedly locates the post-engageable material portion intermediate the aperture and post peripheries adjacent the second spool and post ends. The post cap is formed at the second post end for enabling a user to manually remove the aperture-engaging post from the spool body for releasing the free material end and the post-engageable material portion.

Other objects of the present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated or become apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features of our invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following brief description of my patent drawings, as follows:

Figure No. 1 is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the spool assembly in an assembled state.

Figure No. 2 is a top perspective view of the spool assembly shown in Figure No. 1 with certain parts broken away to show otherwise hidden inner structure.

Figure No. 3 is a top perspective view of the spool assembly shown in Figure No. 1 showing a spool assembly and a pin assembly (with certain portions in phantom) in partially exploded relation to one another.

Figure No. 4 is a fragmentary side plan depiction of the preferred embodiment of the spool assembly as placed on a planar support surface showing certain portions of the pin assembly in phantom.

Figure No. 5 is a top perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the pin assembly showing a single material-receiving groove.

Figure No. 6 is a top perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of the pin assembly showing a plurality of axially spaced material-receiving grooves.

Figure No. 6 a is a fragmentary side view depiction of a section of an aperture-engaging post showing a helical material-receiving groove.

Figure No. 7 a is a top plan view of the pin assembly shown in Figure No. 5, showing certain aperture-engaging post structure in phantom.

Figure No. 7 b is a side plan view of the pin assembly shown in Figure No. 5.

Figure No. 7 c is a bottom plan view of the pin assembly shown in Figure No. 5, showing certain aperture-engaging post structure in solid.

Figure No. 8 a is a cross-sectional view of the pin assembly as taken from Figure No. 7 b.

Figure No. 8 b is a fragmentary enlarged section of the pin assembly as taken from Figure No. 8 a showing a material receiving groove.

Figure No. 9 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the spool assembly showing a spool assembly and a pin assembly (with certain portions in phantom) in partially exploded relation to one another.

Figure No. 10 is a top perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the spool assembly shown in Figure No. 9 in an assembled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the present invention concerns a spool assembly 10 as generally illustrated and referenced in Figure Nos. 1-4. It is contemplated that the spool assembly 10 of the present invention is designed for locating the end or terminus of certain spoolable material (such as thread, wire, tape, string, twine, etc.) and further for preventing the spoolable material from disengaging the spool assembly 10. The spool assembly 10 is preferably constructed from wood, plastic, or similar other sturdy, formable material and comprises, in combination, a spool body 11 as illustrated and referenced in Figure Nos. 1-4, 9, and 10; a pin assembly 12 as illustrated and referenced in Figure Nos. 1-8 a, 9, and 10; and certain spoolable material (typically thread) 13 as illustrated and referenced in Figure Nos. 1-4, 9, and 10.

The spool body 11 preferably comprises a first spool end 14 as referenced in Figure Nos. 2 and 4; a second spool end 15 as referenced in Figure Nos. 2 and 4; an axial spool aperture 16 as illustrated and referenced in Figure Nos. 2, 3, and 9; and a spooling core 17 as illustrated and referenced in Figure Nos. 1-4. The first spool end 14 preferably comprises a first spool rim 27 as illustrated and referenced in Figure Nos. 1-4, 9, and 10. Preferably, the first spool rim 27 is substantially planar (as depicted in Figure Nos. 1-4) for enabling a user to stand the spool assembly 10 on the first spool rim 27 upon a planar support surface 30 as generally depicted and referenced in Figure No. 4.

From an inspection of the noted figures, it will be seen that the spool aperture 16 extends intermediate the first and second spool ends 14 and 15 as centered on a longitudinal spool axis 18 (as further referenced in Figure No. 4). The spooling core 17 extends axially adjacent the spool aperture 16 and receives the spoolable material 13 as also generally depicted. It should be noted that the spool aperture 16 inherently has a post-engaging aperture periphery at the second spool end 15. Further, the spoolable material 13 necessarily has a free material end 19 as generally illustrated and referenced in Figure Nos. 3 and 9; and a post-engageable material portion 20 (adjacent the free material end 19) as generally illustrated and referenced in Figure Nos. 1-4, 9, and 10.

The pin assembly 12 preferably comprises an aperture-engaging post 21 as illustrated and referenced in Figure Nos. 1-6, 7 b, 7 c, 8 a, 9, and 10; and a post cap 22 as illustrated and referenced in Figure Nos. 1-8 a, 9, and 10. The aperture-engaging post 21 comprises a first post end 23 as referenced in Figure Nos. 2-6; a second post end 24 as referenced in Figure Nos. 4, 7 b, 7 c, and 8 a; a longitudinal post axis 25 as referenced in Figure Nos. 4 and 5; and a material-receiving portion as preferably defined by a single transverse material-receiving groove 26 as illustrated and referenced in Figure Nos. 2-5, 7 b, 8 b, and 9. Referring to Figure Nos. 6 and 6 a, it will be seen that aperture-engaging post 21 may be outfitted with a plurality of axially spaced material-receiving grooves 26 or a single helically shaped material-receiving groove 29 as may be taught by a threaded shaft member or the like.

From an inspection of the noted figures, it will be seen that the aperture-engaging post 21 preferably comprises a sloped outer periphery intermediate the aperture-engaging post periphery and the first post end 23. It is believed that the sloped outer periphery may effectively function to enable the user to more readily insert the aperture-engaging post 21 into the spool aperture 16 by providing certain guiding means for proper insertion. Further, it is contemplated that the slope outer periphery may effectively function to enable the user to locate the free material end 19 within spool bodies having differently sized spool apertures 16. From a further comparative inspection of the noted figures, it will be seen that the material-receiving groove 26 is formed intermediate the first and second post ends 23 and 24 axially adjacent the longitudinal post axis 25 (closer in proximity to the second post end 24). It should be further noted that the second post end 24 has an aperture-engaging post periphery.

The free material end 19 and the post-engageable material portion 20 are receivable in the material-receiving groove 26 as generally depicted in Figure Nos. 2, 3, and 9, and the aperture-engaging post 21 is insertable into the spool aperture 16 with received material portion 20 such that the spool and post axes 18 and 25 are substantially collinear. The second post end 24 is cooperable with the second spool end 15; the aperture-engaging post periphery is sized and shaped to cooperatively wedge the post-engageable material portion 20 intermediate the post-engaging aperture periphery and the aperture-engaging post periphery in close proximity to or in adjacency to second spool end 15 and the second post end 24. The spool assembly 10 thus functions to locate the free material end 19 and prevents the spoolable material 13 from otherwise disengaging from the spool assembly 10.

The post cap 22 is preferably integrally formed with the second post end 24 and is designed to enable a user to manually (in other words, with one's fingers and or hand) remove the aperture-engaging post 21 from the spool body 11 or spool aperture 16 for releasing the free material end 19 and the post-engageable material portion 20. The post cap 22 thus enables the user to readily disengage or unspool the spoolable material 13 from the spooling core 17. In the preferred embodiment, the post cap 22 is substantially planar and essentially provides a second spool rim 28 (as referenced in Figure Nos. 1-4) when the aperture-engaging post 21 is received in the spool aperture 16. Together, the first spool rim 27 and second spool rim 28 function to locate the spoolable material 13 upon the spooling core 17.

Additionally, the substantially planar spool rims 27 and 28 enable a user to stand the spool assembly 10 upon a select spool rim as placed upon planar support surface 30. In this last regard, it is contemplated that the select spool rim may be selected from the group consisting of the first spool rim 27 and the second spool rim 28. Notably, the spool body 11 inherently comprises a certain body length and the pin assembly 12 inherently comprises a certain pin length, the pin length preferably being lesser in magnitude than the body length. This design feature is believed to enable a user to stand the spool assembly 10 upon the first body end 14 insofar as the first post end 23 does not otherwise extend beyond the first spool rim 27.

The first and second spool rims 27 and 28 are preferably (but not critically) substantially circular in form as generally depicted in Figure Nos. 1-4. Thus, the first spool rim 27 inherently has a first diameter and the second spool rim 28 inherently has a second diameter. Preferably, given such an arrangement, the first diameter is greater in magnitude than the second diameter and the spool assembly 10 may be stood upon the first spool rim 27 for effecting a statuesque spool assembly. In other words, it is contemplated that a certain feature of the present assembly is a novel way of standing spool assemblies on end so that they may be viewed as more pleasing to the eye, more stable, and more easily manipulated (as for example, by providing finger-accepting space adjacent the second rim diameter for grabbing the post cap 22 and lifting the spool assembly. Thus, the smaller diameter of the post cap 22 (as compared to the first diameter of the first spool rim 27) may be said to define a certain statuesque spool assembly when so configured.

The spool assembly 10 may thus be said to selectively locate a spoolable material end such as free material end 19 for use or unwinding as may be required by the user. The spool assembly of the present invention preferably comprises a spool body 11 and a pin assembly 12. The spool body 11 preferably comprises first spool end 14, second spool end 15, spool aperture 16, and spooling core 17. The spool aperture 16 and spooling core 17 extend intermediate the first and second spool ends 14 and 15 as centered about spool axis 18. The spooling core 17 receives certain spoolable material 13, which spoolable material 13 has free material end 19 and post-engageable material portion 20. The spool aperture 16 has a post-engaging aperture periphery at the second spool end 15. The pin assembly 12 comprises aperture-engaging post 21 and post cap 22. The aperture-engaging post 21 comprises first post end 23, second post end 24, post axis 25, and a transverse material-receiving portion such as material-receiving groove 26, but may also take the form of a notch, a slot, an aperture, or similar other material-receiving (and thus locating) structure.

The material-receiving portion is preferably located intermediate the first and second post ends 23 and 24 axially adjacent the longitudinal post axis 25, and preferably in closer proximity to the second post end 24. The second post end 24 has an aperture-engaging post periphery. The post-engageable material portion 20 of the spoolable material 13 is cooperable with or receivable by the material-receiving portion of the aperture-engaging post 21. The aperture-engaging post 21 is insertable into the spool aperture 16. The post periphery is preferably sized and shaped to wedgedly locate the post-engageable material portion 20 intermediate the aperture and post peripheries adjacent the second spool and post ends 15 and 24. The post cap 22 is formed at the second post end 24 for enabling a user to (more easily) manually remove the aperture-engaging post 21 from the spool body 11 for releasing the free material end 19 and the post-engageable material portion 20.

Alternative Embodiment

An alternative embodiment of the spool assembly of the present invention is generally illustrated and referenced in Figure Nos. 9 and 10 at reference numeral 50. The alternative spool assembly 50 of the present invention is structurally identical to the preferred spool assembly 10, but for certain rim structures as found adjacent the first and second spool ends 14 and 15. In this regard, it is contemplated that spool assembly 50 may comprise at least one secondary spool rim 51 at the second spool end 15. From an inspection of Figure Nos. 9 and 10, it will be seen that the first spool rim 27 and the secondary spool rim 51 may together function to locate the spoolable material 13 upon the spool assembly 50. From a further inspection of Figure Nos. 9 and 10, it will be seen that a pair of axially spaced secondary spool rims 51 and 51(a) adjacent the second spool end 15 may spatially locate the free material end 19 therebetween (as generally depicted in Figure No. 10). Notably, the secondary spool rim 51(a) is provided by the outer edge of post cap 22.

While the foregoing descriptions contain much specificity, the same should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the invention. For example, it is contemplated that the essence of the invention teaches a two-piece spool assembly comprising a spool body and a pin assembly. The spool body comprising a first spool end, a second spool end, and an axial spool aperture. The spool aperture extends intermediate the first and second spool ends, and the spool body or core thereof is designed to receive certain spoolable material. The receivable spoolable material necessarily comprises a free material end and a post-engageable material portion adjacent the free material end.

The pin assembly comprises an aperture-engaging post having a first post end, a second post end, and a material-receiving portion located intermediate the first and second post ends. The post-engageable material portion is cooperable with the material-receiving portion, and the aperture-engaging post is insertable into the spool aperture for wedgedly locating the post-engageable material portion adjacent the second spool and post ends. Thus, the spool assembly is designed to selectively locate the free material end.

Accordingly, although the invention has been described by reference to a preferred embodiment, it is not intended that the novel assembly be limited thereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and spirit of the foregoing disclosure, the following claims, and the appended drawings. 

1. A spool assembly, the spool assembly for locating a spooled material end and for preventing spooled material from disengaging the spool assembly, the spool assembly comprising, in combination, a spool body, a pin assembly, and spoolable material, the spool body comprising a first spool end, a second spool end, an axial spool aperture, and a spooling core, the spool aperture extending intermediate the first and second spool ends centered on a longitudinal spool axis, the spooling core extending axially adjacent the spool aperture and receiving the spoolable material thus forming spooled material, the spooled material having a free material end and a post-engageable material portion adjacent the free material end, the spool aperture having a post-engaging aperture periphery at the second spool end, the pin assembly comprising an aperture-engaging post, the aperture-engaging post comprising a first post end, a second post end, a longitudinal post axis, and a transverse material-receiving groove, the material-receiving groove being formed intermediate the first and second post ends axially adjacent the longitudinal post axis, the second post end having an aperture-engaging post periphery, the free material end and the post-engageable material portion being selectively receivable in the material-receiving groove, the aperture-engaging post being insertable into the spool aperture, the second post end being cooperable with the second spool end, the post periphery being sized and shaped to cooperatively wedge the post-engageable material portion intermediate the aperture and post peripheries adjacent the second spool and post ends, the spool assembly thus for locating the free material end and for preventing the spooled material from disengaging the spool assembly.
 2. The spool assembly of claim 1 wherein the second post end comprises a post cap, the post cap for enabling a user to manually remove the aperture-engaging post from the spool body for releasing the free material end and the post-engageable material portion thus enabling a user to disengage the spooled material from the spooling core.
 3. The spool assembly of claim 2 wherein the first spool end comprises a first spool rim, the post cap providing a second spool rim when the aperture-engaging post is received in the spool aperture, the first and second spool rims for locating the spooled material upon the spooling core.
 4. The spool assembly of claim 3 wherein the aperture-engaging post comprises a sloped outer periphery intermediate the aperture-engaging post periphery and the first post end, the sloped outer periphery enabling the user to more readily insert the aperture-engaging post into the spool aperture.
 5. The spool assembly of claim 4 wherein the first and second spool rims are substantially planar, the planar spool rims for enabling a user to stand the spool assembly on a select spool rim upon a planar support surface, the select spool rim being selected from the group consisting of the first and second spool rims.
 6. The spool assembly of claim 5 wherein the first and second spool rims are substantially circular, the first spool rim having a first diameter and the second spool rim having a second diameter, the first diameter being greater in magnitude than the second diameter, the spool assembly being stood upon the first spool rim for effecting a statuesque spool assembly.
 7. The spool assembly of claim 6 wherein the spool body comprises a body length and the pin assembly comprises a pin length, the pin length being lesser in magnitude than the body length for enabling a user to stand the spool assembly upon the first body end.
 8. A spool assembly for locating a spoolable material end, the spool assembly comprising a spool body and a pin assembly, the spool body comprising a first spool end, a second spool end, an axial spool aperture, and a spooling core, the spool aperture and spooling core extending intermediate the first and second spool ends, the spooling core for receiving spoolable material, the spoolable material having a free material end and a post-engageable material portion adjacent the free material end, the spool aperture having a post-engaging aperture periphery at the second spool end, the pin assembly comprising an aperture-engaging post and a post cap, the aperture-engaging post comprising a first post end, a second post end, and a transverse material-receiving portion, the material-receiving portion being located intermediate the first and second post ends, the second post end having an aperture-engaging post periphery, the post-engageable material portion being cooperable with the material-receiving portion, the aperture-engaging post being insertable into the spool aperture, the post periphery being sized and shaped to wedgedly locate the post-engageable material portion intermediate the aperture and post peripheries adjacent the second spool and post ends, the post cap being formed at the second post end for enabling a user to manually remove the aperture-engaging post from the spool body for releasing the free material end and the post-engageable material portion.
 9. The spool assembly of claim 8 wherein the first spool end comprises a first spool rim, the post cap providing a second spool rim when the aperture-engaging post is received in the spool aperture, the first and second spool rims for locating spooled material upon the spooling core.
 10. The spool assembly of claim 8 wherein the aperture-engaging post comprises a sloped outer periphery intermediate the aperture-engaging post periphery and the first post end, the sloped outer periphery enabling the user to insert the aperture-engaging post into variously sized spool apertures.
 11. The spool assembly of claim 8 wherein the material-receiving portion is defined by at least one material-receiving groove, the post-engageable material portion being receivable in at least one material-receiving groove.
 12. The spool assembly of claim 11 wherein at least one material-receiving groove is helical in form.
 13. A two-piece spool assembly, the spool assembly comprising a spool body and a pin assembly, the spool body comprising a first spool end, a second spool end, and an axial spool aperture, the spool aperture extending intermediate the first and second spool ends, the spool body for receiving spoolable material, the spoolable material having a free material end and a post-engageable material portion adjacent the free material end, the pin assembly comprising an aperture-engaging post, the aperture-engaging post comprising a first post end, a second post end, and a material-receiving portion, the material-receiving portion being located intermediate the first and second post ends, the post-engageable material portion being cooperable with the material-receiving portion, the aperture-engaging post being insertable into the spool aperture for wedgedly locating the post-engageable material portion adjacent the second spool and post ends, the spool assembly for selectively locating the free material end.
 14. The spool assembly of claim 13 wherein the aperture-engaging post comprises a sloped outer periphery intermediate the aperture-engaging post periphery and the first post end, the sloped outer periphery enabling the user to more readily insert the aperture-engaging post into the spool aperture.
 15. The spool assembly of claim 14 wherein the sloped outer periphery enables the user to insert the aperture-engaging post in variously sized spool apertures.
 16. The spool assembly of claim 13 wherein the second post end comprises a post cap, the post cap for enabling a user to manually remove the aperture-engaging post from the spool body for releasing the free material end and the post-engageable material portion for enabling a user to disengage spooled material from the spool assembly.
 17. The spool assembly of claim 16 wherein the first spool end comprises a first spool rim and the second spool end comprises at least one secondary spool rim, the first and secondary spool rims for locating spooled material upon the spool assembly.
 18. The spool assembly of claim 17 comprising a pair of axially spaced secondary spool rims adjacent the second spool end, the free material end being spatially locatable intermediate the axially spaced secondary spool rims.
 19. The spool assembly of claim 13 wherein the material-receiving portion is defined by at least one material-receiving groove, the post-engageable material portion being receivable in at least one material-receiving groove.
 20. The spool assembly of claim 19 wherein at least one material-receiving groove is helical in form. 